[Job-Discussions] Making that Career Choice

[Karen Rose]

Sounds like you jumped when opportunity presented, wonderful! I often ask people with disabilities what they think they would do were they not to have had a disability. Then we find ways for them to do at least something similar while accommodating for disability.

Karen Rose MFT/LPCC www.career-therapy.net

> On Sep 29, 2022, at 12:02 AM, Claudia Del Real via Job-Discussions <job-discussions at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Jennifer,
> 
> Some very valid points here. You have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and potentially take on things that you may not be completely comfortable with.
> I've always worked in Social Work, as I indicated earlier, but my example is this. I went from working in a domestic violence shelter to working in housing, teaching people about buying their first homes, the ins and outs of mortgage, assisted others with delinquent mortgages, etc. Did I know anything about this? Absolutely not, but when I was hired, I dove right in and learned everything I could about what I was taking on.
> My boss in housing gave me an opportunity, even though I didn't have much experience in this arena. My willingness to learn and positive attitude and motivation is what helped her make that decision, she told me later.
> And, I am forever grateful for having had that job and making those connections.
> 
> Claudia
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Job-Discussions <job-discussions-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jennifer Wenzel via Job-Discussions
> Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2022 11:22 AM
> To: Job Discussions internet Mailing List <job-discussions at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Jennifer Wenzel <jwenzel at beyondvision.com>
> Subject: Re: [Job-Discussions] Making that Career Choice
> 
> This is a great discussion. I think it is important to think about both "jobs:" and "careers". While I do not feel it is a good idea to try to push people into expected careers, I do think it is very Important for blind people to gain work experience. This may mean working at something that is not your passion and may not be your ultimate career, but will give you valuable work experience which can be shown on a resume. Sighted people gain work experience like this through early entry-level jobs. For example, my sighted sons have worked in a fast food restaurant and at a grocery store. Some blind people gain this type of entry-level experience early, and that is great. This type of experience cannot be underestimated. Employers may be impressed by education and awards, but will be nervous to take a chance on someone who has never had the experience of coming to work regularly, socializing and collaborating with coworkers, taking initiative and gaining more responsibility. I say all this to make